INDUSTRIES ARE POWER GUZZLERS (BHUTAN)

According to a report by Department of Renewable Energy, power consumption by Industrial sector in Bhutan is about 153,655 metric tons of oil equivalents (MTOE) energy and is the highest energy consumer in the country. Following the industrial sector is transport and agriculture, put together they account for 111,430 MTOE. For the country as a whole, thermal energy consumption accounts for 57.40 per cent and electrical energy consumption stands at 42.60 per cent.

September 25

http://www.kuenselonline.com/industries-guzzle-most-energy/#.UkJ3pdJi19M

THE TROUBLED HARVEST OF CATERPILLAR FUNGUS (CHINA)

As the harvest season has ended, many Cordyceps sinensis fungus collectors have found that their incomes were not even enough to cover their costs -- mainly due to a fee that varied from 5,000 up to 50,000 Yuan levied by local authorities according to the acreage where they were allowed to dig. A research showed that average fungus output reported in China's 12 major fungus production bases is less than 10 percent of the 1980 volume. Also the fungus rush has also prolonged the normal harvesting period from 60 days to more than 70 days, causing severe damage to the growth cycle of the fungus.

September 25

http://eng.tibet.cn/2012sy/xw/201309/t20130925_1934964.html

ILLEGAL MINING (INDIA)

Kupwara residents in Himachal Pradesh have demanded stern action against contractors and others involved in illegal mining of stones, boulders and sand from streams (Kupwara, Lolab, Kehmil and Mawar) of the district. They complained that this has caused extensive damage to agricultural land and a decline in water level. However, the police have registered 1,957 cases of illegal mining from August 15 to September 15 in a campaign launched to curb illegal mining in the state.

September 23, 26

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130924/kashmir.htm#7hina Himalaya

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Police-detect-1957-cases-of-illegal-mining-in-one-month/articleshow/23073552.cms

TORRENTIAL RAIN BRINGS MISERY TO FARMERS (INDIA)

Heavy rain in Kangra district has damaged paddy and vegetable crops worth IRS 270 million. According to agriculture department, about 20 to 25 per cent of paddy and maize crops and 40 to 50 per cent of vegetable crops were damaged. The dwarf variety of paddy that is more resistance to heavy rains and storms has also suffered heavy damage. Though the state government has introduced crop insurance policy for farmers of the state but very few of them have knowledge about the same.

September 25

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130926/himachal.htm#2

CARDAMOM, MARMELOUS AND SUGARCANE (NEPAL)

This year Cardamom Development Office in Ilam District, east Nepal, has sold about 485000 saplings of Cardamom to farmers and have generated revenue over NPR 2 million. The first Marmelous juice (cooperative) industry to be established in far western Nepal of Kailali District has suffered loss due to lack of market linkages despite its quality production. Meanwhile, sugarcane farmers in Sunsari and Morang Districts, east Nepal, have suffered a loss of more than NPR 100 million due to pest infestation.

September 26, 27

Gorkhapatra

http://ujyaaloonline.com/news/25582

RED PANDA POACHING ON THE RISE (NEPAL)

Various efforts in red panda conservation, notwithstanding, there have been steady increase in illegal poaching of Red Panda in Panchthar District, eastern Nepal. Prior to raising awareness on red panda conservation in the district the locals use to hunt the animal for meat but now they poach this elusive species for money according to local. So far, the District Forest Office has kept mum in this issue.

September 26                                 

Gorkhapatra